Newport Pell Bridge Is Getting An Upgrade

The Newport Pell Bridge is slated to receive a $40 million upgrade. State lawmakers and Department of Transportation officials announced plans to replace the bridge’s highway ramps with four roundabouts, Monday.

Officials said the construction would ease traffic congestion between the bridge and the downtown area during the busy summer months. At its busiest, the bridge’s traffic can go as far as a mile.

Governor Raimondo said reconfiguring the bridge’s ramps would free land for economic development.

The project is scheduled to start in 2019 and is construction is expected to be complete by 2022.